Christmas news

Merry Christmas!

I thank God for blessing our first celebration of Jesus' birth here in Oita, Japan. We planned to have it December 20th, but because our eldest son, Hikaru, became sick God led us to postpone it to December 23rd. Actually, this day was also meaningful because it is a holiday in Japan to celebrate the Emperor's birthday. We prayed that this holiday will be moved to December 25th to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

We learned about Jesus who is the good news of great joy. Because of Jesus we can go to heaven. This is good news for all people, regardless of race, background, or religion. God inspired us with a creative program including Christmas bingo, a passage listening contest, and a bilingual (Japanese-English) message. We also watched a graceful Christmas video, sang some songs, and enjoyed a potluck dinner together. In addition to our family, three people joined: two native Japanese and one student from a Moslem country who speaks English fluently. Two of them heard the Christmas message for the first time. Praise God. I'm also thankful to God for my wife Tsukasa who prepared many things in addition to caring for two small children.

It's hard to believe that nearly one year passed since we left Canada to come to Japan as missionaries. God helped us to be self supported through teaching English part time. I could also focus on learning Japanese and wrote a language proficiency exam (level 2 -- about 1000 kanji characters) in early December. Through laying a strong foundation in language, we pray to be used by God in a big way in this beautiful nation.

Thank you so much for your endless prayers, encouragement, and material support. Sometimes we are lonely but we look forward to the day when we will all be together in God's kingdom. May God bless everyone with a happy and graceful new year. May the Holy Spirit work mightily in 2010. We love you!

Thanksgiving and Prayer requests (December 7-13)

I thank God for blessing my Japanese level 2 exam and for Tsukasa's endless support so I could focus on studying. May God help me to pass level 1 in 2010 and lay a solid foundation in language for serving God's work long term in Japan.

Things to pray for:
1. Christmas preparation, invitation, and message (December 20)
2. S.'s message translation to Farsi
3. Japanese directors conference in Kanazawa
4. Ministry direction for 2010

Prayer requests for Nov. 22-29, 2009

"He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one." (John 11:51,52)

I deeply thank Christ who gave up his life on the cross so we could become members into God's united family. I also thank God for his good work throughout the world. Especially, this week I was touched by His work in Muslim nations through dreams - http://www.dreamsandvisions.com/ .

Prayer requests:

1. John's gospel study and messages

2. Effective outreach on campus

3. Christmas preparations

4. Tsukasa's full recovery from illness

5. Ray's Japanese exam preparation & job

People we know outside Oita
1. Delano , Eric, Nathaniel, Enxin, Cuong, Kien
2. Japan UBF
3. London UBF, Waterloo UBF (see blog on the side)

Prayer requests for Nov. 15-21, 2009

"Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?'" (John 11:25,26)

Praise Jesus who came to this world as our resurrection and life. Let's challenge great things for God this week with faith in Jesus who can even raise the dead to life!

Prayer requests:

1. John's gospel study and messages

2. Effective campus outreach (last week we could speak to more than 30 students)

3. Tsukasa's health

4. Christmas preparations

People we know outside Oita:

1. Eric (Canada), Delano (Canada), Enxin (Canada), Nathaniel (Australia), Kien (Canada), Cuong (America)

2. Leaders' Bible study in Tokyo

3. London and Waterloo UBF

Prayer requests for Nov. 8-14, 2009

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:28)

Praise God who gives us eternal life in Jesus! I pray that many people here in Japan will take hold of this free gift of salvation which belongs to them in Jesus Christ.

Please pray for the following:

1- Timothy Park in Canada to fight cancer holding God's kingdom (his condition is critical) 

2- John's gospel bible study and messages

3- Christmas preparations (Dec. 20th; make invitation cards and visit the campus)

4- Bible students

5- Tsukasa's health & father

6- Ray to serve as a courageous soldier of Christ Jesus / Japanese study

People living outside Oita:

1- Nathaniel (Australia), Eric (Canada), Delano (Canada), Enxin (Canada), Kien (Canada), Cuong (America)  

2- Japan UBF

3- London and Waterloo UBF

Prayer requests (Nov. 1-7)

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

We thank God for sending Jesus as our good shepherd. May God help us to always remember Jesus' grace who laid down his life for us on the cross and serve God's flock in Japan with the love of Christ.

Prayer requests (Nov. 1-7):

1. John's gospel study and messages

2. Christmas preparation (December 20, 2009)

3. Students to grow continually in the word of God

4. Japanese students to start studying the bible through free English classes

5. Tsukasa to recover from her cold (and everyone to be protected from the new influenza)

6. Ray's Japanese level 2 exam in December & job

7. Japanese website

8. Japan, London, and Waterloo UBF

Oita UBF blog site created!

Hello!

Welcome to the Oita UBF blog site!

This site was created so we can easily share prayer requests and news updates within Oita UBF and across the world.

May God's name be glorified through this site!